What's the main difference between an "enemy," a "competitor," a "rival," and an "opponent?"
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
All of the words describe someone who is competing against someone else, but there are largely not interchangeable because each has a different context. "Enemy" means someone who is actively opposed to or hostile to someone or something. Ex: Germany and France were enemies in the Second World War. "Competitor" means someone who takes part in an organized competition; a person or group attempting to achieve the same goal as another. Ex: Every country sends competitors to the Olympic Games, but only some win medals. Ex: Our company's primary competitor has lower prices but lower quality products than us. "Rival" means a person or organization that is competing closely with another in an aggressive way and for the same goal. It's similar to competitor but stronger and more intense as an expression. It can also be used as a verb to say that someone or something is potentially equal to another in terms of performance. Ex: Two boys like the same girl, and both are trying to impress her. They are rivals for her love. Ex: There are no runners who can be rivals to Usain Bolt. Ex: Tigers rival lions as the most dangerous big cat. => used as a verb Opponent means someone who competes with or opposes another in a contest, game, or argument; usually no emotional aspect. Ex: The chess master struggled against his opponent but eventually won the game. Ex: We don't need to see our coworkers as opponents when trying to get a promotion.
